Chapter 107 The Pregnant Woman's Angry Temper
Four months pregnant, Jiang Mianmian's belly was slightly bulging like an inflated balloon, but her temper was like a volcano, always on the verge of exploding.
The imperial physician said it was "excessive liver fire," commonly known as "being unhappy with everyone."
The Regent's Palace, Study.
Shen Jin was reviewing official documents, while several officials from the Ministry of Rites stood below him, reporting on matters related to the upcoming "Winter Solstice Sacrifice to Heaven".
Jiang Mianmian sat on the soft couch next to her, holding a book in her hand, her eyes vacant, and she exuded a low-pressure atmosphere that said "Don't touch me".
[So annoying! So annoying!]
Why do these old men talk so slowly? It's like they're chanting scriptures!
That mustache was twitching so much, I wanted to pluck it out!
It's so hot... so irritable... I want to punch someone...
Hearing the restlessness in her heart, Shen Jin paused slightly, then gave Ying Yi a wink. Ying Yi immediately understood, and had someone bring a basin of ice to cool Jiang Mianmian down, along with a plate of freshly cut watermelon.
Jiang Mianmian took a bite of watermelon, and her anger subsided a little.
However, at that moment, the leading official, the Vice Minister of Rites—Lord Zhang—suddenly changed the subject, his gaze drifting to Jiang Mianmian, and then he bowed respectfully to Shen Jin with an upright expression, saying:
"Your Highness, there is one more matter that I would like to ask."
"Speak," Shen Jin said without looking up.
"Now that the Princess is six months pregnant, it is a great joy for the royal family. However, according to ancestral rules and the 'Admonitions for Women,' a woman should not serve her husband during her pregnancy. The Prince is in his prime, and... cannot be left alone by his side."
Lord Zhang, with an expression that said, "I'm doing this for your own good," spoke earnestly.
"I have a half-sister at home, who is sixteen years old, gentle and virtuous. Although she cannot be a concubine, it would be a blessing for her to be sent to the manor as a maid to share the burden with the princess and serve the prince. Surely... the Lady Protector of the Nation, being so understanding and righteous, would not refuse?"
After saying that, he glanced at Jiang Mianmian with a hint of provocation and self-righteousness in his eyes.
In his eyes, no matter how arrogant Jiang Mianmian had been before, now that she was pregnant, she was a toothless tiger. For the sake of her reputation and to secure his favor, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and accept it.
The study fell silent instantly.
The air seemed to freeze.
With a "crack," the vermilion brush in Shen Jin's hand broke into two pieces.
He slowly raised his head, his eyes as cold as if he were looking at a dead man.
Just as he was about to speak—
"Deeply understanding of righteousness?"
A sinister female voice suddenly rang out.
Jiang Mianmian tossed the watermelon rind she was holding onto the table and slowly stood up. Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, burning with two tangible flames of anger.
I've put up with you for too long, old man!
[You're bringing up taking a concubine in front of me? And you're using the "Admonitions for Women" to pressure me? You even want to put your sister in as a mistress?]
You're tap dancing on my minefield!
【I'm pregnant, not disabled! Do you really think I can't lift a knife anymore?】
Jiang Mianmian walked step by step to Lord Zhang, the nameless fire in her stomach rising and burning away her reason.
"Lord Zhang, you just said that your sister is gentle and virtuous?"
"Yes...yes..." Lord Zhang was so frightened by her murderous gaze that he took a step back. "Your Highness..."
"Since you're so virtuous, why don't you keep it for yourself?"
Jiang Mianmian sneered, "And besides, which eye of yours saw me as righteous and understanding? I'm a person with a heart smaller than the eye of a needle! Anyone who dares to touch my man, I'll let them know what it means to be—"
She scanned her surroundings, searching for a suitable weapon.
A knife? Too bloody, it might frighten the child. A vase? Too expensive, I can't afford it.
Finally, her gaze settled on the priceless Duanxi Ziyun inkstone on Shen Jin's desk—a stone as thick as a brick.
“Wh...what do you mean…” Lord Zhang sensed something was wrong.
"Scream—your brains are about to explode!"
Jiang Mianmian shouted, grabbed the inkstone, and without any hesitation or skill, simply used pure, violent force—
It landed directly on Lord Zhang's forehead!
"Bang--!!!"
A muffled thud.
Ink splattered, like black fireworks exploding.
"ah--!"
Lord Zhang let out a pig-like scream, clutching his head and collapsing backward. Blood mixed with ink streamed down his face, instantly turning him into a smeared mess.
"You...you dare to assault a government official! You shrew! You jealous woman!"
Lord Zhang lay on the ground, pointing a trembling finger at Jiang Mianmian, "I'm going to impeach you! I'm going to get His Majesty to punish you!"
The other officials were terrified, cowering in a corner, trembling with fear.
That's brutal!
She'd throw an inkstone at someone at the slightest disagreement! This is the Lady Protector of the Nation!
After smashing the person, Jiang Mianmian was still holding the blood-stained inkstone in her hand, her chest heaving violently, clearly still angry.
[Join me?]
Go ahead! If you're so capable, go now!
[I have a get-out-of-jail-free card! I have an ironclad guarantee! Even if I tear a hole in the sky, let's see who dares to punish me!]
[You dare mess with a pregnant woman? Don't you know pregnant women aren't criminally liable for murder... oh wait, I mean, are pregnant women emotionally unstable?]
She was about to go up and give him a couple more kicks.
"Slap! Slap! Slap!"
A burst of crisp applause suddenly rang out in the deathly silent study.
Everyone turned their heads in horror.
The regent, Shen Jin, was not angry or reprimanding. Instead, he sat in his armchair and clapped his hands with an expression of admiration.
"good!"
Shen Jin smiled, a smile of satisfaction at seeing his own child finally succeed. "Well done! Accurate! You've captured the heart of my soul!"
Officials: ? ? ?
Your Highness, are you alright? Were you knocked senseless by the impact?
Shen Jin stood up, ignoring Lord Zhang on the ground, walked straight to Jiang Mianmian, took the inkstone from her hand, and casually tossed it aside.
Then, he took Jiang Mianmian's hand in his and examined it carefully:
"Does your hand hurt? Did you twist your wrist?"
"This inkstone is too hard. Next time, use something lighter to smash it. Like... a teacup, or a book."
"If you hurt yourself, I will be heartbroken."
Seeing his serious expression, Jiang Mianmian's anger instantly subsided by half, but a feeling of grievance welled up inside her:
"It hurts...my hand is numb..."
"Huff huff".
Shen Jin lowered his head and blew on her palm. "It's okay, it doesn't hurt anymore. It's not worth getting angry over this kind of trash."
After saying that, he turned around, and the gentleness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling coldness.
He looked at Lord Zhang, who was still groaning on the ground:
"Lord Zhang, you just said that the Princess Consort is a jealous woman?"
"Could it be... could it be that it isn't?" Lord Zhang covered his head, "As the legal wife, she prevented her husband from taking a concubine and even assaulted someone..."
"That's because I spoiled him."
Shen Jin coldly interrupted him, "I have said long ago that the Regent's Palace will only have one mistress for life. Anyone who dares to mention taking a concubine is trying to sow discord between me and the Princess, and is... courting death."
"besides."
Shen Jin pointed to the broken inkstone, "This Duanxi inkstone is a unique piece, worth a thousand gold pieces. Since Lord Zhang broke it with his head, then... you shall pay for it at its original price."
Lord Zhang: !!!
I got smashed and I have to pay compensation?!
"Someone come here!"
With a wave of his sleeve, Shen Jin ordered, "Drag Lord Zhang out. Dismiss him from his post and investigate him! The reason is... that he intended to disrupt the harmony of the Regent's family, and... that he was too stubborn and damaged public property!"
"yes!"
Yingyi suppressed a laugh and dragged the wailing and wailing Lord Zhang out.
The study was finally quiet.
The remaining officials were so frightened they didn't dare to breathe, wishing they could just disappear on the spot.
"Is there anything else?" Shen Jin glanced at them.
"No...that's all! This humble official takes his leave!"
The group scrambled away, fearing that if they were even a step too late, they would also be cracked open by the inkstone.
Jiang Mianmian slumped back onto the soft couch and let out a long sigh of relief.
Whew...that feels good.
Indeed, nothing can't be solved with violence. If it can't, then smash it again.
[But...was I a little too fierce just now? Did I scare the baby in my belly?]
She touched her belly, looking somewhat worried.
Shen Jin walked over, squatted down in front of her, and placed his hand on the back of her hand.
"rest assured."
He said softly, "If our children can't even handle this kind of situation, how will they inherit the throne?"
"and……"
Shen Jin looked at her, his eyes full of indulgence, "The way you were throwing a tantrum just now... was beautiful."
"He looks much better than when he's pretending to be well-behaved."
Jiang Mianmian blushed.
[This jerk...does he have a warped sense of aesthetics?]
However… considering his mindless protectiveness earlier, I'll allow him to… touch his stomach tonight.
"Your Highness."
Jiang Mianmian reached out and hugged his neck. "I'm hungry. I want to eat... cucumber salad. The kind that's smashed."
He chuckled silently.
It was smashed.
It seems the violent impulse hasn't dissipated yet.
"good."
He picked her up. "I'll make you cucumber salad when we get back. You can make as much as you want."
A dispute sparked by the taking of a concubine was resolved satisfactorily with the sacrifice of an inkstone and a cold cucumber salad.
After this battle, no one in the capital dared to mention the word "taking a concubine" in front of the Regent.
Who doesn't know that the Lady Protector of the Nation has a get-out-of-jail-free card, and... she has a bad temper, and an inkstone might fly at her at any moment?
Between my life and sending my sister away, my life is more important.
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